Niti Aayog's Water Index: Gujarat leads in water resources management - here's how other states fared

NITI Aayog, the government’s think tank, released a Water Index Report ranking states on the basis of their water resources management capabilities during FY16-17. Conditions in nine states have deteriorated and in 15 states have improved in one year. Here are the top 10 states in India based on their performance in the ranking:

Telangana | Score: 50 | India’s newest state stands overall 10th in the ranking, improving massively from FY15-16 level. Among the non-Himalayan states, K. Chandrashekar Rao led state has climbed three rungs to stand eighth. (Musi River in Hyderabad; Wikimedia Commons)

2/10

Tamil Nadu | Score: 51 | One of the parties of the Cauvery dispute, Tamil Nadu ranks ninth among Indian states in managing its water resources. Interestingly, the South Indian state has worsened over the year. (Stanley Reservoir formed by Mettur Dam, the largest dam in Tamil Nadu on Cauvery river; Wikimedia Commons)

3/10

Himachal Pradesh | Score: 53 | One of two Himalayan state to be in top 10, Himachal Pradesh is ranked eighth overall. The water resources management capabilities have actually worsened, as per the report. Understandably, its capital Shimla is facing acute water shortage this summer. (View of Bilaspur with Govind Sagar Lake completely filled; Wikimedia Commons)

4/10

Punjab | Score: 53 | Though tied with its neighbour Himachal Pradesh, it has a different story to tell. The state has improved its capabilities slightly. Punjab, for which agriculture is a major occupation, has about 90% of land under irrigation. (Satluj, passing the Ropar Bridge near Rupnagar; Wikimedia Commons)

5/10

Maharashtra | Score: 55 | Draught prone state ranks sixth in the ranking despite slipping in points scored. Maharashtra was one of the worst performers in FY16-17, according to the NITI Aayog’s report. (Barrage across River Godavari at Dummugudem in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana. The river originates in Maharashtra; Wikimedia Commons)

6/10

Karnataka | Score: 56 | The state which recently went through assembly elections ranks overall fifth according to NITI Aayog’s report. It also improved upon its performance slightly to climb in the rankings. (Couple of coracles (round-shaped boats) at Tungabhadra river near Hampi; Wikimedia Commons)

7/10

Tripura | Score: 59 | The highest ranked mountainous state in the Water Index Report ranking, Tripura has seen an improvement in the performance. It was among the top 5 improvers overall, and NITI Ayog said, “Tripura’s already exceptional performance and might signal increasing water policy action in this category (Himalayan states).” (Kalyan Sagar Lake, near Agartala; Wikimedia Commons)

8/10

Andhra Pradesh | Score: 68 | One of the three states which received a “high” score and ranks third in the ranking, according to the NITI Aayog’s report. The coastal state has also witnessed drought in recent years. (Krishna River Gorge by Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh; Wikimedia Commons)

9/10

Madhya Pradesh | Score: 69 | Madhya Pradesh also improved vastly vis-à-vis FY15-16. Among, non-Himalayan states, it showed the fifth best improvement. The NITI Aayog termed its improvement “likely driven by necessity” as it has suffered draughts in recent past. (The River Narmada flows through a gorge of Marble rocks in Bhedaghat; Wikimedia Commons)

10/10

Gujarat | Score: 76 | The home state of PM Narendra Modi continues to be at the top of the ranking. Apart from scoring the highest points, the state was also one of the best improver over the year, according to the NITI Aayog’s report. (Vishwamitri River near Vadodara; Wikimedia Commons)